Price was charged with criminal conspiracy and soliciting to commit kidnapping, and with carrying a concealed weapon. He was being held at Orange County Jail Monday night on $3,000 bond.

Means said Price planned to kidnap children from 6 to 8 years old, but the scheme was foiled by a confidential sheriff's informant. Means said he did not know how many children would have been abducted, if they would have been harmed or if Price has previous kidnapping convictions.

''This is another case that points out the necessity for parents to supervise their children at all times,'' Means said. ''There are always 6- to 8-year-old kids running around without supervision and it is not difficult for people like William Price to pull something like this off.''

Means said the informant, who was supposed to keep custody of the children until ransom was paid, told sheriff's officials about the plan May 27.

With the agent and the informant, Price drove to the laundry Friday night, Means said. With the informant acting as lookout, Price and the deputy watched from the car for potential victims, he said.

Price was arrested after telling the deputy it was time to act, Means said. A knife was found in his possession.